Tuesday, 1 March 2011

Military Matters

More tragedy in Afghanistan for our armed forces. A soldier from the Royal Army Veterinary Corps was killed today when he was hit by enemy gunfire. Since the war in Afghanistan commenced in 2001 358 of our troops have been killed.

Today it was also announced up to 11,000 military personnel are to lose their jobs in the next month. The 102,000-strong Army will lose 7,000, the navy's total of 35,000 will be cut by 5,000 and the RAF's 38,000 by the same number.

The reduction in posts is partly being made by not replacing people who were leaving anyway. The RAF has announced two Tornado squadrons will go - 14 Squadron based at Lossiemouth and X111 Squadron from Marham in Norfolk.

The coalition has also axed Harrier jets and will have no aircraft carrier for a decade (or aircraft to use it) yet David Cameron is sanctioning these cuts at this time of international unrest.

Gaddafi's eldest son called Cameron a joke in an interview on Sky television. His obvious lack of military understanding has me believing much the same.

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comments:

Promising that Britian will be up there taking the lead with America. He's playing a game of being big and important in a flat broke country where over 3000 people will have died of the cold by the end of the winter.

Yes Said, he's a joke alright, but I'd rather have a Marcus Brigstocke one any day

Trying hard to see the funny side... nope, not working. The actions of this government regarding the defence of the realm are little short of treasonable. No wonder HMG quietly removed the death penalty for treason in 1998.

No it's not funny Caratacus. There's far too much hot air and little sense coming from government in the past 25 years about our military. What is happening is that Cameron is trimming it down to suit the EU's requirements for a European army. The military know this and the Brits don't care. They will once they realise we don't have our own nationality defending us.

Hi SR. Bit late I know, but one report of the rescue by three Hercules aircraft, said that they were protected by C130 gunship(s). I was not aware we had any, so who supplied it/them, Uncle Sam ? or am I mistaken.

Sorry to butt in here, but there is a motorcycle charity ride at Wootton Bassett on 3 April in support of Afghan Heroes. It should be a huge event - last year it attracted 10,000 bikes and 15,000 riders/passengers and was a major news item. I have posted details on my blog here. I will be there, and I am trying to get as many fellow bikers to attend too. Non-bikers can, of course, donate :)

I believe it true too Michael. Somewhere in the depths of this computer are documents from the EU about the proposed EU military force. If you want to read some let me know and I'll see if I can find them.